Mack Road Bike Path Project: What to Know

What is it?
The City of Warrenville is working with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County on a new multi-use path along Mack Road, just east of Route 59. The proposed project includes:

• A 10-foot-wide asphalt path on the north side of Mack Road
• Pedestrian signal upgrades at the intersection of Route 59 and Mack Road
• A new bridge over the West Branch of the DuPage River
• A connection to the existing trail system in Blackwell Forest Preserve

This path will make it easier and safer for people walking, biking, and using mobility devices to get around.

Why Was the Mack Road Project Started?

The Mack Road Path and Bridge Project has been in the works for more than 10 years. It's part of the City's long-term plan to improve biking and walking connections across Warrenville.

Here's why this project was started and prioritized:

• In 2008, the City created a Bikeway Implementation Plan to help people walk and bike more easily and safely around town. The plan highlighted Mack Road as a key connection.
• In 2012, the City started working with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County on future trail connections and agreed to work together on this project.
• In 2015, the City was awarded federal grant funding that would pay for 75% of the path construction.
• In 2017, engineering work began. The project later grew to include replacing the Mack Road bridge and improving the roadway.
• In 2019, City Council adopted a Complete Streets Policy to support safer, more connected streets for everyone-whether walking, biking, driving, or using transit.
• In 2022, a public survey found that residents wanted a path on Mack Road to better connect to the Blackwell Forest Preserve.

Because the project improves safety, connects existing trails, and is mostly paid for with federal funding, it has remained a City priority.

Myth 1: The path was suddenly changed to the north side of the road.

The facts:

• The City and Forest Preserve District have been planning this path for years.
• The agreement did not require the path to be on a specific side of the road.
• Engineers looked at three options:
  • North side
  • South side
  • On-street bike lanes
• The north side was chosen because it's safer, less expensive, and better for the environment.

Myth 2: The City is using federal money inappropriately to take private land.

The facts:

• Federal grants are being used for the bridge and most of the path construction.
• These grants can be used for land needed for the bridge.
• No federal money is being used to buy land for the path.
• Residents will be paid for any land the City needs to use, including replacing any landscaping or decorative improvements removed or damaged during construction.

Myth 3: The plan keeps changing.

The facts:

• Projects like this often go through many rounds of review, updates, and approvals.
• The City worked with DuPage County, Illinois Department Of Transportation (IDOT), the Forest Preserve, and residents to improve the plan.
• Changes include:
  • Sloping the path away from homes
  • Adding drainage to reduce yard flooding
  • Replacing fences, trees, and landscaping
  • Moving utility poles closer to the road

Myth 4: The City is taking large sections of private land.

The facts:

• The 10-foot-wide path will mostly be half on City property and half on private property.
• This setup is common for projects like this.
• Rules require the path to be a certain distance from the road for safety.
• Some small easements are needed for grading and driveways.

Myth 5: The south side is better because it's public land.

The facts:
The south side was carefully studied-but it has more problems:

Safety:

• The path ends at the McKee Marsh trail, which is on the north side of Mack Road.
• A south-side path would force people to cross a busy road with no signal.
• Winfield Township does not support a mid-block crossing.

Environment:

• The south side has older trees and protected land.
• It's also lower and more likely to flood.

Cost:

• A south-side path would require major changes to the dog park, parking lot, and canoe launch. These changes are not eligible for project grant funding and would be entirely the responsibility of the City to cover.

Utilities:

• A large gas line underground would need to be moved-at the City's expense.
• Overhead utilities on the north side can be moved at no cost to the City.

Myth 6: Why not build a longer path all the way to Winfield Road?

The facts:

• This project is designed to connect Route 59 to McKee Marsh, not all of Mack Road.
• The Forest Preserve already has plans to connect Winfield Road to Blackwell using existing trails.
• Extending the path further would cost more and isn't needed to complete the connection.

Myth 7: Nobody uses Mack Road to get to Blackwell.

The facts:

• In 2022, residents were asked how to make Warrenville more bike-friendly.
• A top request was a path along Mack Road.
• The City is following through on that request.

Still Have Questions?
Visit our Mack Road Bridge and Path Project page for more details.

We will continue working to provide safe, thoughtful, and community-supported improvements.